Del. House Approves Expanded Gun Background Checks

The expanded checks will include transactions between private sellers and buyers

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The state House has passed a bill subjecting most gun sales between private sellers and buyers in Delaware to criminal background checks.

The bill cleared the Democrat-controlled House on a 24-17 vote Thursday and now goes to the Senate.

Lawmakers approved the bill after adding several amendments, including one that specifically prohibits the state from using information from background checks to establish any kind of gun registration system, which some opponents claim is the real intent of the bill.

Under current law, background checks are required for purchases from federally licensed firearms dealers, but not for transactions between private sellers and buyers.

The legislation is part of a package of gun control measures proposed by Democratic Gov. Jack Markell after the December massacre at a Connecticut elementary school.